Hindi · English · A1–A2

Easy Hindi short stories for beginners, with English translation (A1–A2)

Short stories written in simple Hindi for learners, with the English beside every paragraph. Short enough to finish in one sitting, simple enough for your first months of Hindi.

171 beginner stories in Hindi, 133 of them free

Each one opens in your browser with no account, the Hindi and the English side by side, paragraph by paragraph, shortest first. Every free story is also a free Hindi–English ebook for Kindle, Kobo or any e-reader: downloading needs a free account, no payment (which file to pick).

The stories at this level come from बिल्कुल शुरुआत से, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from पहली कहानियाँ, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from लाइन 24, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from असली ज़िंदगी, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from आसान क्लासिक A2, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from रोज़मर्रा की बातचीत, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from एशिया की लोककथाएँ, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from नींबू वाले घर में गर्मियाँ, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from क्रिसमस नाटक, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from सरल कहानियाँ, original Hindi stories written for the library.

The stories at this level come from रात की बेकरी, original Hindi stories written for the library.

Open the beginner Hindi–English stories in the library, where you can search them and switch to another level or pair.

To listen as you read, see the Hindi stories with audio.

What beginner Hindi stories are like

These stories are written for the level, not translated down to it: everyday settings, short sentences, the words a beginner meets first, and a plot worth finishing.

The classics start at B1. Even a short fable becomes full, old-fashioned prose once translated, so the fables and fairy tales sit one level up, as the first step after these.

How to read Hindi at A1–A2

Read the English first if you need to

At A1 there is no shame in reading a paragraph in English, then the Hindi. You are matching words to meaning, and the paragraph beside it makes that quick.

Finish, then reread

Read the whole story once, glancing across whenever you are lost. The second time, cover the English and look only when you are stuck. Most readers are surprised how much stayed.

Collect a few words, not every word

Pick three or four words per story that keep coming back and learn those. The rest will return in the next story.

More on the method in how to read a parallel text.